Middle East observers had identified the Sinai Peninsula as a source for regional insecurity as early as a year and a half ago [PDF]. Recent analysis indicates that the territory has become the world’s main center for jihadist training:

A new German intelligence report presented on Tuesday showed that Egypt had replaced Waziristan as the main centre for the training of militants. German intelligence voiced concern over the growing number of ultra-conservative Islamic extremists in the country, some of whom are swelling militant ranks abroad, while warning of an increasingly violent German extreme right.

Those groups have access to large weapons, including missiles – some of which they likely tested this week.

Endemic lawlessness is being felt in other ways as well.

Two Egyptian police officers were kidnapped this week after an altercation with local Bedouins. Earlier this month an Egyptian police officer was killed in the Sinai. In May seven officers were kidnapped and released.

Four officers who were kidnapped two years ago and are still being held captive.

[Photo: Prince Roy / Flickr]